The role of a chief executive has expanded beyond running the business. In the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, 73% of respondents said they expect their CEO to lead efforts to build trust, and “my CEO” was one of the few figures to gain trust this year, with a net increase of nine points.
Specific expectations
People are clear about what that leadership should look like. 75% expect CEOs to consult people with different values, and 74% expect them to engage constructively with employees who criticise the company. These are not communications tactics; they are behaviours that people can observe.
Visibility is part of the job
Trust is now concentrated in the people closest to us: “my CEO” (66%), fellow citizens (64%) and neighbours (64%). At the same time, nearly seven in ten people fear that institutional leaders deliberately mislead the public. A leader who is visible, consistent and open about what the company stands for can benefit from the first trend and avoid the second.
Building a credible public profile
- Speak about the substance of your work and industry, not only company news.
- Be consistent: the same values in public statements, internal meetings and decisions.
- Show how you listen: share what you learned from critics or from people who see things differently.
Sources
Photo: Humberto Chávez / Unsplash